Mount for a plug/socket combination

ABSTRACT

A connector/socket combination to be installed in a motor vehicle. The combination includes a socket with a slot on two opposing sides thereof, a connector and a holder. The holder includes at least two webs for receiving the socket therebetween, and a projection on at least one end of the two webs. The webs are positioned within the slots of the socket and the projection engages the connector after the connector has been joined to the socket, whereby the socket and connector are immobilized by the holder.

The invention relates to a holder for a connector/socket combinationthat can be installed in a motor vehicle.

These kinds of holders are state of the art, for example, in the fieldof engine sensors, plug-type connectors intended to be used for repairpurposes or for changing the sensors. The plug-type connectors formedfrom a connector/socket combination are mounted, with the plug andsocket usually being connected to each other by latch connections.

Shaking and vibrations in the engine area require a secure connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a simple fastening of theconnector/socket combination in the holder.

According to the invention, an element of the connector/socketcombination, i.e., the connector or the socket, is inserted into theholder in a conventional manner. The holder encompasses the element withforks or tongs in such a way that the holder fits into a slot so as toallow the element to be connected perpendicular to the holder.Immobilization is also necessary, however, in the direction of insertionso that the element does not slide out of its encompassing fork or tongsin the direction opposite to its insertion.

According to the invention, this will be accomplished in a simple mannerso that the end of at least one of the webs encompassing the element isbent. The companion piece to the element inserted into the holder, i.e.,the connector to the socket or the socket to the connector, is broadenough to lie beneath the bend of the web after being inserted andconsequently presses against it when the element is moved from the tongshaped insertion in the opposite direction to the initial directionagain. As long as the connector/socket combination is joined together,it cannot come apart by itself.

Because the connector and socket are latched together it is impossibleto unintentionally o accidentally break the connection or to remove itfrom the holder.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which thepresent invention pertains from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the holder and separated connector and socket;

FIG. 2 shows the holder with attached connector without a plugged-insocket;

FIG. 3 shows the holder with attached connector and plugged-in socket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, a holder 10 is shown that is primarily madeof metal strips, including a notch 12. Notch 12 is bordered at the sidesby the two webs 14 and 16. Web 16 includes a step portion 18 to createan enlarged area 20 of notch 12. The upper end of the web 16 includes aprojection 22 perpendicular to the surface of strip 10.

Strip 10 may include a plurality of notches 12, 12', corresponding tothe number of connector/socket combinations requiring a holder.

A socket 30 is provided having an electric cable 32 in its rearward sidein a conventional manner. A slot 36, with a width that corresponds tothe inner width of notch 12, connects to an intermediate section 34which in turn is connected to cable 32. To ensure that the socket isinserted correctly, a projection 40 is provided on a side 38, theprojection 40 corresponding to step portion 18 of notch 12.

Slot 36 is contained at the front by a plate 42 that abuts the holder intwo dimensions when the socket is plugged in. A guide component 44encompasses the socket contacts and enables a secure insertion ofconnector 50 in that guide component 44 is received into a housing 54 ofthe connector.

The width of plate 42 is constructed in such a way that upon insertion,plate 42 slides by projection 22, allowing socket 30 to be inserted andextracted from section 12 without interference from projection 22.

The width of connector 50 is constructed in such a way that uponinsertion, with contacts 56 being inserted into the correspondingopening in the socket, an upper extension 60 of upper side 52 restsunder projection 22. Connector 50 is therefore wider than socket 30 andwhen fully assembled with socket 30 projection 22 keeps theconnector/socket combination from moving upwards, because projection 22presses against upper extension 60.

The socket can only be taken out of notch 12 when the connector 50 hasbeen previously removed.

Because, as is usual for state of the art, connector 50 and socket 30are fastened together by an appropriate latch mechanism, not shown, anunintentional separation is impossible, and for the same reason theconnector/socket combination 10 cannot come out of the holder.

Of course, the connector and socket elements for the holder arereplaceable, and in exactly the same manner the connector can besecured, with the wider socket coming to rest under the projection 22 ina plugged-in position and therefore securing the combination from upwardmovement.

It is evident that there are a number of adaptations of the presentinvention coming within the province of those persons having ordinaryskill in the art to which the present invention pertains. For instance,it is possible to secure other elements having plug-type connectors,including but not limited to sensors, lamps and display elements. It isintended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of theinvention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely bythe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A connector/socket combination to be installed in a motorvehicle comprising:a first element including a slot on two opposingsides thereof; a second element; and a holder, said holder including atleast two webs for receiving the first element therebetween, and aprojection extending from and perpendicular to at least one end of oneof said at least two webs, said webs being positioned within said slotsof said first element, said projection engaging said second elementafter said second element has been joined to said first element, wherebysaid first and second elements are immobilized by said holder.
 2. Theholder according to claim 1, wherein said projection points in thedirection toward said second element.
 3. The holder according to claim1, wherein said first element includes a cable, said projection pointingin the direction away from said cable.
 4. The connector/socketcombination according to claim 1, wherein said first element is thesocket and said second element is the connector.
 5. The connector/socketcombination according to claim 1, wherein said second element includes asurface projecting from a side and perpendicular to a front facethereof, said surface contacting said holder projection.
 6. Theconnector/socket combination according to claim 1, wherein one of saidat least two webs includes a step portion, and said first element slotincludes a projecting means thereon for engaging said web step portion.